Segment fastener



Feb. 22, 1927.

w. GARRETT ET AL SEGMENT FASTENER 1 Filed Nov. so; 1921 Mill amen tow izrzeat $60, 2 a kzis' Gum y Patented Feb. 22, 1927.

UNITED "STATES PATENT "OFFICE.- 1,

SEGMENT Application filed November This invention relates to new and useful improvements in segments, and more particularly to means for fastening segments in place, the main object of the present invention being the provision of an improvec segment and means for fastening the same in position to eliminate destruction of the same through the engagement of the contact lingers therewith.

The manner of fastening segments to the controlling drums of street car controllers and various other places, are somewhat objectionable in view of the fact that the ends of the segment are exposed in such a position that they will be readily engaged by the contact fingers when completing the circuit and the screws or other means which fasten the segments in place, have a tendency to wear upon the contact fingers, thus destroying the usefulness of the same so that it is necessary to replace them with new fingers. It is therefore, one of the principal objects of this invention to provide means whereby this segment can be readily attached to the controlling drum so that the ends of the segment are entirely out of the path of the contact fingers and the screws or other means which fasten the segment in position are also removed from the path of the contact fingers.

Vith the above and other objects'in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claim and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a detail side elevation of a portion of a controlling cylinder showing the manner in which our improved segment is attached thereto, and

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates the main body of the controlling cylinder which is provided at intervals thereon with projec tions as at 2 having arcuate faces and provided with oblique end portions which extend inwardly from the arcuate face to the body of the cylinder 1. It is to these arcu ate faces that the usual copper segment is attached by having a single strip of copper, the length of the portion 2 attached thereto by inserting screws through the body of the taken FASTENER.

a, 1921. Serial No. 519,023.

strip into the portion 2, thus leaving the heads of the screws exposed where they will engage with the contact fingers which ride over the segment for completing a circuit. The ends of the segment are also exposed to engagement with the usual contact fingers whereby it ofttimes occurs that the contact lingers will engage the ends of the segment and bend them upwardly off of the arcuatetion 2, a slight curve as at 4 being formed adjacent each end of the segment and the extreme end formed to fit tightly against the inclined end portions of the projections 2 as shown in Fig. 2, and perforated to re ceive a screw 5 which extends through the perforated ends of the segment and is imbedded within the body portion of the pro- .jection 2. In forming the segment in this manner, it is apparent that in order to make the ends of the segment fit tightly against the inclined faces of the projection, the curvature 4C is imparted within the segment instead of bending the ends directly at right angles, thus providing a smooth contact face for the contact fingers which engage with the segment. As the contact fingers ride over the outer face of the segment 3, the fingers will not contact in any way with the fastening means for the segment or with the ends of the segment, but the manner of applying the segment as shown, provides a smooth unbroken surface for engagement by the contact fingers, thus eliminating the destruction of the contact fingers through engagement with the fastening means or with the ends of thegsegments.

We claim: I

The combination with a control cylinder having a single segmental contact member projecting radially therefrom with its arcuate face concentric with said cylinder, 2. contact plate having an arcuate portion scatter] solidly on said face and straight pm the. straight portions and over said fastem tions at each end in contact with said cyiining means.

do and with the radial faces of said mem- In testimony whereof w: afiix our sigmr- 1 her, and means for fastening said straight Lures.

portions to said radial faces, suid arcuate and straight portions being connected by \VILLIALI GARRETT. semi-circular portions which project beyond GEORGE GAYLETS. 

